File picture of the ASTC bus depot at Paltan Bazar

Aug. 12: As the city zips ahead on pumped-up wheels, the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) wants to make sure it does not miss the modernisation bus.

As part of its revamping strategy, the ASTC has introduced 15 buses to regain lost ground in the city.

ASTC managing director K.N. Chetia said their primary objective was to regain the passenger base that the corporation lost to private operators owing to certain wrong policies adopted in the past.

“The ASTC has procured 15 new 30-seater buses, which offer better comfort to passengers,” Chetia said.

The vehicles were introduced on two routes — Narengi to Jalukbari and Church Field to Chaygaon — under the recently launched “city deluxe” service to improve bus connectivity between the city and its suburbs.

He said another seven buses would be introduced to replace the 50-seater Rhino buses on busy roads to avoid traffic congestion.

“We hope to get a good response from passengers as these buses are sleek and have comfortable seats. As they are smaller in size, they can move faster than Rhino buses,” Chetia said.

The ASTC has already withdrawn Rhino buses from GS Road in view of the congestion problem at Bhangagarh and Six Mile, where flyovers are being constructed.

The Rhino bus’s biggest disadvantage on a crowded street is its length — each vehicle measures 38 feet.

The buses that will replace them will have low floors for the convenience of women and children, the elderly and physically challenged passengers while boarding the vehicles.

The managing director informed that several other schemes, such as the introduction of air-conditioned buses, have been proposed to improve the ASTC’s services and augment its revenue collection.

The vehicle strength of the ASTC’s city wing is 65, which includes 30 Rhino buses.

Besides, 80 private buses ply on the city streets under the corporation’s banner.

“We expect that proper implementation of the new plans will modernise and streamline the transport system and benefit commuters,” Chetia said.